Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for most moms and babies. “Your baby was born to be breastfed. Invest the time in yourself and your baby to protect your health, save money, and build a bond that will last a lifetime.” (US DHHS, Feb 2009)
Quick Facts
• Breastfeeding saves the family budget hundreds of dollars
• Breastfeeding saves on healthcare costs
• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce
• Breastfeeding creates a healthier society
Did you know it is legal to breastfeed in public in Nevada?
NRS 201.232: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.”
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers and Families:
• Recent studies show that babies who are only breastfed for 6 months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses.
• Babies who breastfeed only for 6 months may also be less likely to develop childhood obesity
• Delays the return of menstrual periods and may help with spacing of pregnancies
• Reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers
• Creates a strong bond between mother and child
• Breastfeeding mothers have increased self-esteem
• Breastfeeding may help to protect an infant from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)-research is still being done
Benefits for Employers:
• Cost savings of $3 per $1 invested in breastfeeding support
• Less illness among the breastfed children of employees
• Reduced absenteeism to care for ill children
• Lower health care costs (an average of $400 per baby over the first year)
• Improved ability to attract and retain valuable employees
• Higher morale and greater loyalty
• Improved employee productivity
• Family-friendly image in the community
Breastfeeding Resources in Northern Nevada
Links for more information about breastfeeding
- New Federal Legislation part of Healthcare Reform
- Information, support, tools, etc from the Centers for Disease Control
- US Breastfeeding Report Card from the Centers for Disease Control 2010 2011
- Breastfeeding and women's health from womenshealth.gov
- Nevada Breastfeeds website
Contact numbers for more questions:
Get Healthy Washoe staff are available to help with resources, education, setting up a dedicated lactation room, etc. There is currently seed money up to $300 available through the State of Nevada to help area businesses create a lactation room and policies to support breastfeeding mothers returning to work. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations and to provide a private area for a mother to pump breast milk for her child or to breastfeed her child while at work. For more information, please contact us:
Rebecca Gonzales, RN, Public Health Nurse II 328-2627
Kelli Seals, MPH, Health Educator II 325-8244
